USD 500 fine to be imposed on foreigners overstaying visas

The Consultative Committee on Defence, which met yesterday (6) agreed to impose a fine of US $ 500 in addition to visa fee for foreigners staying in the country for an extended period of time without a visa including the submission of Immigration and Emigration Orders to Parliament for approval on several amendments to the visa issuance process.

Accordingly, these orders have been published in the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2126/13 dated 03rd June 2019 for the amendment of the Immigration and Emigration Orders and are due to be presented to Parliament for approval on 08th July.

Accordingly, the regulations have been published in the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2126/13 dated 03rd June 2019 for the purpose of being amended and is scheduled to be presented in Parliament for approval on the 08th July.

Members of Parliament Tiran Alas, (Major) Pradeep Undugoda were present at the Consultative Committee on defence held under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of National Security & Disaster Management and State Minister of Home Affairs Chamal Rajapaksa whereas the respective officials joined online. 

The Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration U. V. Sarath Rupasiri said that this will also be introducing a unitary fare system to replace the existing heterogeneous fare system for different countries when charging for tourist visa, amending the duration of tourist visa issued for tourist purposes from three months to nine months.

He further said that the visa fees currently charged in Sri Lankan Rupees will be charged in US Dollars.
In addition, the annual report and financial statements of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University for the year 2018 were also considered and approved.